The Hair Industries Support Opportunities Trust
Funding opportunities are available for those passionate about the Hair Industries. Please see our criteria for eligibility and terms & conditions.
HISO will be open for applications in October.
Recent News
HITO returns to industry ownership - 1 July 2026
Notice of the Passing of former CEO Erica Cumming
HITO is pleased to announce that on 1 July 2026, HITO returned to industry ownership with its operations transitioning to the Hair Industries Support Opportunities (HISO), an independent charitable trust representing the hairdressing, barbering and beauty industries in New Zealand.
This transition means that HITO is now operating as an industry-owned Private Training Establishment and is continuing to offer work-based apprenticeship training in hairdressing, barbering, and beauty therapy, as it has for over 32 years. During this transition, HITO has remained dedicated to ensuring disruptions have been minimal for all stakeholders, including apprentices, employers, and secondary schools.
As part of the vocational education and training reforms, HITO transitioned from Te Pūkenga to the Services Industry Skills Board in January 2026, with a legislative requirement to transition from the Services Industry Skills Board before the end of 2027.
“HITO is delighted to finally be back in industry hands,” says Kay Nelson, HITO Chief Executive. “This transition means HITO can remain industry focused, with our stakeholders, including our current employers and their apprentices, as our priority. We are pleased to have a permanent home for HITO with HISO, creating certainty for apprenticeships and training in our industries.”
“We are excited about this new chapter of HITO and look forward to celebrating with our stakeholders across the country at formal launch events from September,” says Ms. Nelson.
For more information, please contact Kay Nelson, Chief Executive, HITO 04 499 1180 or kay@hito.org.nz
HITO transition to HISO from Services Industry Skills Board approved!
HITO is pleased to announce that NZQA and the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) have approved HITO to transition its operations from the Services Industry Skills Board to Hairdressing Industry Support Opportunities (HISO), an independent charitable trust representing the hairdressing, barbering and beauty industries.
HITO will continue to offer work-based apprenticeship training in hairdressing, barbering and beauty as it has done for over 30 years. The transition will officially take place on 1 July 2026 and HITO would like to assure all stakeholders including employers, trainers, apprentices and secondary schools that there will be minimal disruption during this transition.
As part of the vocational education and training reforms, HITO transitioned from Te Pūkenga to the Services Industry Skills Board in January 2026, with a legislative requirement to transition from the Services Industry Skills Board before the end of 2027.
“HITO is delighted that it was able to get both NZQA and TEC approval required to transition prior to the 2027 deadline. We are extremely grateful to the Services Industry Skills Board for their support as gaining a permanent home for HITO means more certainty for apprenticeship training in these industries and for all our stakeholders, including our current employers and their apprentices,” says Kay Nelson, HITO Executive Director.
“Following the official transition period, we look forward to celebrating the transition with our stakeholders across the country in September,” says Ms. Nelson.
For more information, please contact Kay Nelson, Executive Director, HITO 04 499 1180 or kay@hito.org.nz
It is with sadness that the HISO Board and the Management and staff of HITO share the news of the passing of former Chief Executive Erica Cumming on Wednesday 20th May.
Erica worked at HITO for 19 years in total, serving as a moderator, assessor and examiner then National Moderator before serving as Chief Executive for 13 of those years. Erica was a powerful advocate for the hairdressing and barbering Industries and was very instrumental in HITO, remaining a stand-alone ITO at the time when there were mergers of other small ITO’s happening.
Erica started her own journey as a hairdressing apprentice at 15years old and went on to own her own business at just 19 in Southland. Erica’s journey contributed greatly to her passion for industry training and apprenticeships. I am sure many of our industry will be saddened by this news.
HISO and HITO wish to acknowledge Erica’s service to our industries and apprenticeship training and send condolences to all her family and friends.
Interested in apprenticeships in hairdressing barbering and beauty therapy?
Find out more on the HITO website
